The City Of Melbourne becomes ground-zero for a nine-day assault of live music in November with the unveiling of the entire programme for Melbourne Music Week (MMW) 2018.
In addition to an eclectic line-up of local and international acts, including the MMW debut performance for rock legends You Am I, this year's programme blurs the lines between art, film, design and music with multi-sensory and VR experiences, parties, workshops, talks, screenings and more.
This year MMW have secured the Australian Centre For The Moving Image (ACMI) as its offical hub and is extending its reach into some of Melbourne's most intriguing and unexpected spaces, such as Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, Flemington Bowls Club, the NGV Great Hall, State Library Victoria, MPavilion, Meat Market, Chapter House and The Assembly Hall, not to mention a selection of trams hosting live music all week long.
The 2018 programme also includes heaps of free panels and discussions under the MMW: Talks umbrella, with topics covering ethics in music journalism, Melbourne’s night-time economy, sound healing and music therapy, connecting to the Chinese music market, how to run inclusive music events and more.
The MMW: Talks program will also feature MMW headliner Jeff Mills, with an in-depth discussion with film maker Amiel Courtin-Wilson (Bastardy, Ruin, Chasing Buddha) on the visual worlds of music – a rare opportunity to hear from one of the world’s biggest names in techno.
Melbourne’s rock & roll mecca Cherry Bar will host Civic Sounds, an all-day laneway party headlined by Regurgitator and Nai Palm in the iconic AC/DC Lane as well as Push The Envelope, a showcase featuring All The Colours, BATZ, Unlucky and Dansy. Girls Rock! will also be there on the night, raising awareness on gender equality in Melbourne’s music industry.
Melbourne Synth Festival occupies Meat Market with live performances by Honeysmack, Luke Million and peers, while Fed Square Live will bring three of Melbourne’s most beloved acts together for a free concert on the main stage, with sets by Claudia Jones, Ben Hazelwood and Rudely Interrupted.
Immerse yourself in a psychedelic experience with The Dark Space Project at The Toff where you experience a synthesised soundscape in pitch black darkness without any visual distractions, or join Fierce Mild as they soundtrack the uncanny 'Want It To End' multi-sensory film adventure.
The Push is celebrating their 30th anniversary by brinigng back Victoria's longest-running all-ages event Push Over on 24 November with a free party next to the MMW Hub at Fed Square featuring Allday, Ali Barter, Ruby Fields and Kian plus special guests from Jebediah, Spiderbait and Something For Kate.
Beloved MMW staple Live Music Safari also returns on Thursday 22 November, with 13 of the city’s favourite live music venues ditching the cover charge and putting on a huge night of free gigs and parties. Section 8, New Guernica, Max Watts, Cherry Bar, Loop Bar, The Toff, Ferdydurke, Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar, Belleville, Boney and John Curtin return, joined by newcomers Whitehart Bar and Geddes Lane Ballroom for an unforgettable night of free music across the city.
With over a week of carefully-curated events to enjoy, Melbourne Music Week in 2018 is a celebration of the city's status as one of the world's premier live music cities.
